Interesting stuff you found Susie! I found the info on the end credits answered a question I had. For S1 & S2, our favorite series had a light blue sky looking background to the credits. For S3, they changed to a darker blue with white lettering. Then starting with S4, we have black background with white lettering. I had wondered if it was supposed to be some sign when they changed to the black background, but now I see that it is a requirement by ITV. I think it is probably to make it easier to squash the credits to the edge of the screen while they promote another show in the main screen - in fact it does mention that is what could happen to the credits. They also specify that the credits can't be rolling - probably for the same reason. Who knew?

It also prompted me to look more closely at the credits. I had previously noticed a credit for a stand-in so I became curious and looked him up on IMDB. He is listed as a stand-in for both Doc Martin movies and all episodes for S1 & S2. I checked a little more and there don't seem to be any stand-in credits for anything after S2. I wonder why? Did they just decide that it wasn't necessary to pay someone to stand around just in case they needed him? I would think as the show got more popular that MC would have more demands on his time and more need for a stand-in.

Another interesting thing I saw in his credits (and he has only been in one other production besides the Doc Martin stuff), is that he is listed as a "stunt stand-in" for Aromatherapy. That made me wonder, so I went and looked at every scene with Martin in that episode and I cannot see anywhere where there needed a stunt double. The most dangerous thing he did was break Caroline's window with a rock, but I looked at that scene closely and the camera never broke from him walking toward the door, so they couldn't have inserted a double. The only other time was when he kicked at Gremlin and we only saw him from the knees down. Maybe they didn't want him to do that to Gremlin? And even looking for stand-ins, there were only a couple of shots in the whole episode where we didn't see his face - a couple of over the shoulder shots in a long conversation. Just didn't see any need for a stand-in. I'm wondering, since his name is listed on every episode for the two series if maybe he is credited as a stand in for the whole series whether or not they use him in every episode?

But as far as the stunt stand-in, this is an actor who regularly bangs his head on doorways, bumps down cellar steps, and rappels down a cliff. Mystery.

A stunt stand in is different from a stunt double.
A stunt actually does the stunt. A stunt can be as seemingly innocuous as MrsT leaning out of the tower window in s5e8 (she had a double for that).
A stunt stand in just stands there while the camera people organise the lights/ropes/padding so the actor and/or stuntman goes off and has lunch or a break.

Also in some cases stunts and whole sections that are filmed can end up on the cutting room floor but the actors/stuntmen still get credited.

A stunt stand in is different from a stunt double.
A stunt actually does the stunt. A stunt can be as seemingly innocuous as MrsT leaning out of the tower window in s5e8 (she had a double for that).
A stunt stand in just stands there while the camera people organise the lights/ropes/padding so the actor and/or stuntman goes off and has lunch or a break.

Also in some cases stunts and whole sections that are filmed can end up on the cutting room floor but the actors/stuntmen still get credited.

Ok - that makes sense I guess. I just wonder what the difference was that gave him the different type credit in that one episode? And why MC hasn't needed a stand in for S3 - S5?

Well, do we really know that he wrote an outline extending into S6 and 7? And do we know that they are sticking close to his outline? Some of his comments about not knowing what is going on in S5 can leave one wondering.

Dominic Minghella has said (see quote above from his blog) that he did the entire series architecture. Although he hasn't seen much of s5 (he says*) he left the outline for it.

Given the foreshadowing in each series it has to have been laid out in a clear plan from the beginning.

I know I am really biased but I much prefer s 1 & s2 and the further we get from them the less I see the magical touch of Dominic Minghellas writing. And I think it is the fans that constantly bring up the glory of his writing. On his blog he thanks people for congratulating him on his great work and he says it keeps him going. Writing is a very lonely profession and the feedback erratic. Jack Lothian is also keen to get feedback on his work so you can see it is a common trait amongst writers.

* can we believe this?? If I were a writer I'd be watching every series AVIDLY to see what they were doing to my baby. Heavens, I am just a viewer and I am annoyed at what the French production has done to the original.

Ok - that makes sense I guess. I just wonder what the difference was that gave him the different type credit in that one episode? And why MC hasn't needed a stand in for S3 - S5?

Do you think they stopped crediting the stand in after s 2? It is all very confusing but I do know if there is a stunt there will be a stunt stand in. It takes hours to set those things up and the stuntman is sometimes running around ensuring everything is "just so" for his own safety while the camera and light people want someone standing (or hanging from a rope as the case may be!) on the spot so they can set up the scene.

I just ran across this video of outtakes from S1 of Reggie Perrin. I had seen some of them before,but this has some I had not seen. Once again MC being adorable, especially when he accidentally calls himself Martin instead of Reggie!

If she was "late" at all, she maybe just put it down to nerves. But -- if she got pregnant midway through her cycle, then it took another week to schedule a wedding three weeks away -- well, she could have been as much as two weeks late, and some subtle/not so subtle changes would start happening. Being her first time, she might not recognize them.

One possibility -- she half knew and she half didn't know. The part that suspected the possibility, led her to lash out at her friends joking about the possibility of their having children, and to consider seriously what it might mean that she didn't think DM would even want to be a godfather.

But, on the other hand, would she have taken off for London and a new job if she knew she was pregnant? Hard to think that she would, if she knew that she would be "sitting alone in a bedsit."

so, another one of those delightful ambiguities. But I think that we're probably supposed to think that she didn't know.

Good points, New Park, and I think that the ambiguities are part of that space that is left for the viewer to get involved with in good writing.

I heard MC being interviewed once, and the interviewer asked him if, since they ran a family business, they spent a lot of time talking about it a home. Martin said, no, they tried not to and he had learned the hard way not, for example, to ask about the daily price of a Steadi-Cam in bed.

Ahhhh, thanks for that MC interview bit as I must have missed that one somehow. Such a funny man!

Interesting stuff you found Susie! I found the info on the end credits answered a question I had. For S1 & S2, etc............et al.

Yes, I found it very enlightening and was astounded at the exacting description of how, or when, or what size, or in what order, things are proscribed in the credits.

I also found interesting the contractual rights of both writer and producer, their working relationship roles, etc. Very explicit in many regards, even down to what they may or may not say to some degree.

I just ran across this video of outtakes from S1 of Reggie Perrin. I had seen some of them before,but this has some I had not seen. Once again MC being adorable, especially when he accidentally calls himself Martin instead of Reggie!

I heard MC being interviewed once, and the interviewer asked him if, since they ran a family business, they spent a lot of time talking about it a home. Martin said, no, they tried not to and he had learned the hard way not, for example, to ask about the daily price of a Steadi-Cam in bed.

Must admit, I stuggle to think what exactly Dominic Minghella is (or should be) credited with !! What did he do?? Wasnt he (just) a writer initially? IMO he is a bit creepy and trying at living off the name!! x Personally dont rate him x

Hi, RubiRedi, haven't seen you here in quite awhile. Good to see you here again.

Here's a question for you, as a long-term forum "oldie" from way back. I've noticed that a lot of the people who participated over the years, going back to the beginning, especially the old DM hands from the UK, haven't popped up here in quite a long time. Do you think when we get closer to S6 filming, or into S6 filming, they might return?

About Minghella, I know very little about him so I can't really comment. At his blog he does seem nice enough.

Well, I would have to disagree with you there, Craig Ferguson still gets credit for (???) To me MC and his Mrs came up with the basic idea and (IMO) still run the show (James Henry being a prime example) I think if u asked Dominic M what was going on with Doc M at this stage he wouldnt have a clue!!! Its just a job for them!!

I dont doubt Dominic Ms talent but do think he feeds off the name(and particularly the sucess of the show)!! but in a kinda sleekit way - and thats what I dont like about him.

Now that Im up and running, I also need to say that I think Caroline Catz is very much underrated and for me just makes the show!! Can you imagine the Docs Mrs being anyone else???? Both of them play it to a tee!! thats what makes it so good eh!!!

I have a feeling (a suspicious feeling? hah - just watched the ep) that there's a failure to communicate here and that the Americans here don't realize that when you say "the name", you're referring to his award-winning brother's name and that there are people in the UK who apparently believe the siblings are taking advantage of their dead brother. I think there's knowledge, discussion, and opinions on one side of the pond that we don't know about on our side of the pond. I can't take sides, pleading ignorance.

On the other hand, I tend to channel Elaine Benes of "Seinfeld" when it comes to "The English Patient."

I absolutely agree that the pregnancy announcement was not in the letter. That was actually the speculation on this forum during S4 filming.

But it is interesting to wonder if she knew at the time she called off the wedding.

I don't think she did. Not sure why, I just think she didn't.

Well, okay, here's something. If she knew, and she was part of the mutual calling off of the wedding, I would have a big problem. So I prefer to think she didn't know. I don't like the following scenario:

Louisa (for her part) calls off the wedding, knowing she is pregnant, and not telling the doc, just calling it off. No, don't like it.

On that note, and sorry to jump ahead of the re-watch, but I noticed some continuity from S4e8 to S5e1. Mr. Hubble - the man whose arm has gone all tingly in S5e1 can be seen with his arm in a sling in S4e8. He's in one of the crowd shots when Pauline is broadcasting the birth. I just noticed that a few weeks ago when that ep was on television here.

Biff and I watched S5E7 again, because her S4 disc wasn't working in our chat tonight.

We wondered a few nifty things:
1. LG is entirely ill-prepared to deal with a newborn. Aside from having her errant mom paw off the child to Angie the convicted felon, at the beginning she directs her babysitting mom to take JH to the "clappy time at the library" or to "Singalong Susie", activities that a five week old infant would have no connection to at all.

2. I think that the cat sanctuary woman may actually have money and is hiding that fact in her whining begging for funds. She does have a fairly decent sized home and is caring for a number of cats. We get the largest indication she is faking all the money stuff at the end when she begins crying she can't afford paying for the new window and Penhale backs down from requiring her to do so. As soon as he leaves, her crying immediately ceases, she pulls herself together, and she gives DM a slightly collaborative look which leaves him from HIS look suddenly suspicious.

3. LG is drawn again and again to DM in his role as Doctor Savior. She falls in love with him after the Peter Cronk episode. She agrees to marry him after the Holly episode. And, here in this episode, she once again attempts to reconnect with him, to spend the evening with him at Large Restaurant Tunisia night affair, after he saves her mom. I think seeing him as the strong, capable man taking care of others is probably one of the defining attractions LG has for DM. Of course, she is shockingly out of touch with reality to think he would spend the evening at the Large's, listening to loud music, mingling with others, and eating cheap food badly prepared. And he, of course, is too dense to realize she was suddenly trying to reconnect with him on a deeper level.

Like them all, great episode!

Yeah, grrr, grrr. That DVD worked just fine tonight in my main DVD player. It just won't play in my computer. And others will, so the problem isn't my PC.

I've got some comments about the episode, btw, but it may be tomorrow before I get them posted.

I'll say this. With the benefit of time passed and emotions calmed and knowledge of what happened in S5, I find that this episode is a really, really good one, and it's funny and I even find Edith to be a fascinating character. She's got some great lines!